10 Years in Germany: My Spiritual Nourishment

In 2004, I moved from a small county in the Tibetan region of southwest China to Chengdu for school. The cultural shock and adaptation to a different lifestyle shaped my ability to embrace new experiences and trained me to adapt to unfamiliar environments. So when I moved abroad in 2014, it felt more like stepping onto a bigger stage—an opportunity to grow and explore freely.👌

In my previous post, I summarized the major events of the past decade. In this one, I want to share the lessons I’ve learned and the beliefs that have sustained me over the years. Some are excerpts from books, while others are my own reflections. These have been my spiritual nourishment and healing remedies throughout the years.

I hope this post can inspire and help those who are planning to move to Germany or are already here!

🌞 Self-Development & Life

🌟 Even though I’ve been far from my hometown and family for many years, I believe home is where I am. I’ve found friends who feel like family, so I’ve never felt a lack of belonging. My heart is at peace.

🌟 In a new environment, try adopting a different personality, interacting with strangers in new ways—after all, no one knows who you used to be. Reinvent yourself again and again until you find yourself, believe in yourself, accept yourself, and love yourself.

🌟 Will this matter in five years? If not, spending even five minutes worrying about it now is a waste.

🌟 Experience everything you want before life ties you down. Only you decide when and by what you’ll be bound.

🌟 Think carefully before making a choice, and once you decide, never look back. Have the courage and ability to face the consequences.

🌟 Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

🌟 Give yourself excuses and exit strategies, but also give yourself reasons to move forward and things to look forward to.

🌟 Thinking too much gets you nowhere—just do more.

🌟 Learn how to love life.

🌞 Learning & Career

🌟 Eliminate distractions and wishful thinking—steadily improving your skills is the most important thing.

🌟 Never get complacent because you have time left, but also never give up because of the time you’ve lost.

🌟 Tears will get you sympathy. Sweat will get you results.

🌟 Start each day by telling yourself, "Today is a great day for action."

🌟 Progress and personal growth give meaning to being busy.

🌟 Many things won’t yield immediate results, but one day, your efforts will suddenly pay off.

🌟 Perception is the truth!

🌟 Go back to basics.

🌟 Learn from those who are better than you and always engage in self-reflection!

🌟 While others drift along, I keep improving. While others slack off, I keep learning. 😂

❤️ Love & Relationships

🌟 Never try to understand a toxic man. If you could understand him, he wouldn’t be toxic in the first place.

🌟 No one but you can truly feel the full range of emotions in your life—joy, pain, bitterness, or sweetness.

🌟 No one is strong enough for you to fully depend on, but you can make yourself strong enough.

🌟 Your brain controls your emotions, but you control your brain.

🌟 You can never change someone who doesn’t want to change.

🌟 Showing vulnerability is actually a form of strength.

🌟 The person you love may not be the right one for you, and the person who is right for you may not be someone you initially love.

🌟 A healthy mind and stable emotions—someone who helps you grow and heal—is the best match.

🌟 Love is an action, not just a feeling. It’s about consciously choosing to care for and invest in another person.

🌟 Love yourself first, then love others.

Over the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege to study, live, travel, and work in different countries. I’ve been lucky to find myself, reshape myself, make lifelong friendships, build a career I love, and even find my life partner.

Just as I love Litang, where I was born, and Chengdu, where I grew up, I also cherish Leuven, where I studied as an exchange student, and Heidelberg & Mannheim, where I built my career and family. I don’t know where life will take me next, but I love the past ten years and look forward to the next!

💬 What has been your spiritual nourishment over the years? Let’s discuss in the comments! 😊